What Does P1249 Mean?
DTC P1249 indicates an electrical fault in the fuel consumption signal circuit. This circuit transmits real-time fuel consumption data from the engine management system to the instrument cluster or body control module for fuel economy display purposes. The fault prevents accurate fuel consumption information from being calculated or displayed to the driver.
Common Causes
30%
Open or shorted wire in the fuel consumption signal circuit
25%
Faulty instrument cluster or body control module input circuit
20%
PCM fuel consumption signal output driver failure
15%
Corroded connector in the signal circuit between PCM and instrument cluster
10%
Electromagnetic interference from aftermarket electronics affecting signal integrity
Diagnostic Steps
1
Verify the symptom by checking the instant fuel consumption and average fuel economy display on the instrument cluster — a stuck or erratic reading confirms the issue.
2
Locate the fuel consumption signal wire in the wiring diagram and check for continuity from the PCM to the instrument cluster or body control module.
3
Measure the fuel consumption signal with an oscilloscope at the PCM output — it should show a square-wave pulse proportional to fuel injection quantity.
4
Inspect connectors in the signal path for corrosion or damage, particularly behind the instrument cluster and at the PCM connector.
5
Check if any aftermarket accessories (GPS trackers, OBD-II dongles) are tapped into the signal circuit and potentially causing interference.
Estimated Repair Cost
$50 - $350
Parts + labor, varies by vehicle and location
DTC P1249 indicates an electrical fault in the fuel consumption signal circuit. This circuit transmits real-time fuel consumption data from the engine management system to the instrument cluster or body control module for fuel economy display purposes. The fault prevents accurate fuel consumption in...
The most common cause of P1249 (Fuel consumption signal Electrical Fault in Circuit) is: Open or shorted wire in the fuel consumption signal circuit
Typical repair costs for P1249 range from $50 to $350, depending on the vehicle, location, and whether you do it yourself or go to a shop.
This code affects fuel economy display accuracy only and does not impact engine operation or drivability. There are no direct safety implications, though the driver may be unaware of actual fuel consumption, potentially leading to unexpected fuel exhaustion.
Start by connecting an OBD2 scanner to read the code and any freeze frame data. Then follow the diagnostic steps specific to P1249 to identify the root cause.
OBDHut Mobile App
Scan codes directly from your car with the OBDHut app.
Coming Soon
Quick Info
Category
Powertrain
System
Engine Management / Instrumentation
Difficulty
Type
Manufacturer
Recommended Tools
OBD2 Scanner
A quality scan tool helps you read codes, view live data, and clear faults.
